Life in Pictures short film competition

Winners announced!

Three short films tackling attitudes towards ageing have been named winners of the Life in Pictures short film competition.

Hannah Moran and Binu Jayawardona, together with WASTV Inc, of Woodlands – have been awarded for their film, Jim, about a man who moves through his life slowly in a fast paced world. A chance encounter with a stranger gives him a reminder of what life used to be like.

Ruth Kendall, from East Fremantle, has been honoured for 'Janet's New Skills', which follows a woman's journey to gain confidence from learning woodworking skills.

Charlie Clark, from Bassendean, has received the accolade for 'My Hero', which depicts the story of his great grandfather.

Seniors and Ageing Minister Mick Murray announced the winners at a presentation screening at Luna Leederville, part of the 2017 Revelation Perth International Film Festival.

Life in Pictures is a creative collaboration between the Department of Communities, Revelation Perth International Film Festival and Screenwest.

It encourages people – the film makers and the viewers – to stop and think about how society views growing older while aiming to stimulate discussion about ageing in a positive way.

Winners received prizes from a total prize pool of more than $20,000. Three Ambassador's Choice awards were also announced at the ceremony, chosen by WA's 2017 Ambassador for Positive Ageing Jenny Davis, listed below.

When I Grow Up by Trinity College Year 12 General Media of East Perth – Young students at Trinity College reflect on growing up.

18-59 years of age category

Jim by Hannah Moran and Binu Jayawardona, together with WASTV Inc, of Woodlands – Jim is a man who moves through his life slowly but is stuck in a world that is moving very fast. A chance encounter with a stranger gives him a reminder of what life used to be like. – winner.

A Picture of Me by Helena Cohen-Robertson of Know Your Nation in Beaconsfield and Mat de Koning – Documents an exercise undertaken by seven artists local to WA, who happen to be seniors.

Grantiki by Sam Lara of Wembley – A 24 year old takes her grandmother on a Eurotrip, headed for Vienna, a city she has dreamed of seeing for 70 years.

The Right Treatment by Sam Lara of Curtin University Research Team of Bentley - Sam Lara of Wembley – Each year, one in three people over the age of 60 fall over. Brian has a near miss and goes to the doctor looking for advice.

The Wire by Wireless Hill Museum, City of Melville – The human story of Morse Code, told through the words and actions of the last gentlemen left from the Western Australian Morsecodian Fraternity.

60 years of age and over category

Janet's New Skills by Ruth Kendall of East Fremantle – Janet's husband recently passed away and the high funeral costs prompt her to learn woodworking skills. Through her journey to learn Janet gains confidence and sense of satisfaction. – winner.

Ageing is Good by Giorgia Kuhn of North Perth – Giving a multicultural point of view in ageing.

CALD Elders by Caroline Gumede of African and CALD Elders Services WA – Elderly people living in WA from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, all speaking different languages with limited English, but that doesn't stop them from being happy and having fun.

Shenton Park Dog Refuge by Bree Billington of Dogs' Refuge Home Shenton Park – The Dogs' Refuge Home has 41 volunteers over the age of 60 and 16 volunteers over the age of 70 who contribute five times the number of hours of their younger counterparts.

The Best Medicine, by Ruth Kendall of East Fremantle – This is the story of Wally, a widow in his 80s who finds a trip to the beach each morning

Jenny Davis, Ambassador for Positive Ageing Choice:

Under 17 years of age category

My Hero by Charlie Clark of Bassendean – His great grandfather is his hero. – winner.

18-59 years of age category

A Picture of Me by Helena Cohen-Robertson of Know Your Nation in Beaconsfield and Mat de Koning – Documents an exercise undertaken by seven artists local to WA, who happen to be seniors.

60 years of age and over category

Shenton Park Dog Refuge by Bree Billington of Dogs' Refuge Home Shenton Park – The Dogs' Refuge Home has 41 volunteers over the age of 60 and 16 volunteers over the age of 70 who contribute five times the number of hours of their younger counterparts.

International endorsement

Life in Pictures was conceived by WA's Age Friendly Interagency Group (AFIG) at last year's Age-friendly WA Workshop. The competition has been endorsed by Dr Jane Barratt, keynote speaker at the workshop, and Secretary General of the
International Federation on Ageing (IFA).

"Who you are and what you stand for is far more important than how old you are, yet the insidious nature of ageism still permeates our society. Taking a stand against ageism is an investment in your future as well as across all generations in front and behind.

"The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) is working towards a world of healthy older people whose rights and choices are both protected and respected.

"Achieving this vision requires the dismantling of ageist attitudes, which permeate the lives of older people and prevent society from respecting their right to adequate services. The IFA recognises the unique capacity of older people to bring value to their communities, and encourages others to respect this capacity with the older people in their lives."

"Negative attitudes and stereotypes about ageing and older people are widespread and have been found to impact seriously on health and wellbeing. Unlike other forms of discrimination, including sexism and racism, ageism (stereotyping or discrimination based on age) is largely accepted and commonly unchallenged because of its implicit and mostly subconscious nature. Negative attitudes impact seriously on our health.

"Congratulations to the Department of Local Government and Communities for their foresight in hosting the 'Life in Pictures' short film competition in order to raise awareness and challenge misconceptions about ageing and older people. Through events, such as this festival, we can challenge existing social norms and help create more prosperous, equitable and healthier societies."

Alana Officer, Senior Health Adviser for the World Health Organisation and coordinator of the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism

Ambassador for Positive AgeingJenny Davis is the 2017 Ambassador for Positive Ageing and a vocal supporter of Life In Pictures. Jenny trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London before arriving in Australia in 1976. She has been prominent in the Perth theatre industry as an actor and director ever since, working extensively with major theatre companies in everything from Shakespeare to classics, cutting edge drama, comedy and farce. As a performer Jenny has toured nationally and internationally and was the artistic director of the WA Youth Theatre for 10 years. In 1993, Jenny founded Agelink Theatre, a reminiscence theatre company which creates shows based on oral histories and Western Australian history. In 2016, Jenny received the 2016 Juniper Seniors Champion award at the WA Seniors Awards, recognising her outstanding achievements as a senior.